Perfect conditions make for supreme Superboats weekend

More than 30,000 people lined Lake Macquarie’s foreshore over the weekend for the annual Lake Macquarie Superboatsspectacular.

The two-day event featured action on and off the water, with Round Three of the 2019 Offshore SuperboatChampionships comprising one race on Saturday, and two more on Sunday.

On-water action took a dramatic turn on Saturday, with a crash forcing the day’s only race to be abandoned.

The Team 88 Offshore vessel flipped on a turn after just two laps, however no one was injured in the incident and the boat was later recovered.

After Sunday’s two races, Team Dynamic Racing took out the Supercat Extreme class, while TCR Offshore took out the Supercat Outboard class. Lake Macquarie driver Les Binkin, racing for team SUV Simrad, came second.

Jet-ski racing from Eleebana included short and long-course competitions.

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Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser said sunny, calm weather made for ideal conditions – both for drivers and crowds watching on from shore.

“Weekends like this show what makes Lake Macquarie so special, and such a spectacular place for major events,” Cr Fraser said.

“Onshore activities from Eleebana to Marmong Point, help spread the benefits throughout our community.”

The weekend included markets, a vintage car display and licensed bars at Warners Bay, aerobatic displays over the lake, a Show and Shine contest and food and wine festival at Speers Point Park, and free water sports at Marmong Point.

Offshore Superboat Club President Conn Saloumidis said Lake Macquarie was the number one fixture on the Superboats calendar.

“All the teams love coming here,” Mr Saloumidis said.

“The conditions at Lake Macquarie are perfect and the crowd gets behind the event so well – it’s awesome.”

The weekend also featured a charity “Poker Run”, with vessels cruising in convoy from Marmong Point to Trinity Point to raise money for medical research.

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